Pick n Pay has opened applications for its UIF Skills Programmes 2026, offering unemployed South Africans an opportunity to gain practical retail experience through structured learning and in-store training.
The programme runs for six months and offers a monthly stipend of R2,000. Successful participants will complete a blended learning programme that combines online training with practical workplace exposure at participating Pick n Pay stores.
Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programme Overview
| Employer: Pick n Pay
| Programme: UIF Skills Programme
| Duration: Six months
| Monthly stipend: R2,000
| Estimated total stipend: R12,000 over six months
| Learning model: Online learning and in-store practical experience
| Minimum qualification: Grade 12
| Age requirement: 18 to 40 years
| Citizenship: South African citizens
| Employment status: Unemployed
| Working hours: Retail trading hours including weekends and public holidays
Available Pick n Pay UIF Opportunities
| Opportunity | Placement | Ref No. | Best Before |
| UIF Skills Programme for Pick n Pay Hypermarkets | South Africa | JR105826 | Not stated in the supplied advertisement |
| UIF Skills Programmes | Western Cape | JR105827 | 8 August 2026 |
| UIF Learnership: All-Rounder | Gauteng | | JR105836 | 7 August 2026 |
Applicants should select the listing that matches their preferred location and career stream.
Financial Overview
Successful participants will receive:
- R2,000 per month
The programme runs for six months which gives an estimated total stipend of:
- R12,000
| Period | Amount |
| Monthly stipend | R2,000 |
| Three-month value | R6,000 |
| Six-month programme value | R12,000 |
The stipend is temporary financial support during the programme. It should not be treated as a permanent salary or a guarantee of employment after completion.
Applicants should budget for expenses such as:
- Daily transport
- Meals
- Mobile data for online learning
- Professional clothing where required
- Personal expenses
The supplied information does not confirm additional transport, meal or accommodation allowances.
About the Pick n Pay UIF Skills Programme
The programme is designed to help unemployed people gain entry-level workplace experience in the retail and food sectors.
Participants will receive:
- Structured learning
- Practical in-store experience
- Coaching from store mentors
- Retail operations exposure
- Customer service training
- Ongoing development support
Learners will be expected to participate in both the online and practical components of the programme.
Successful completion may help candidates build a stronger CV and compete for future retail opportunities. Permanent employment is not guaranteed.
Career Streams Available
Mastercut
- Building the Next Generation of Butchery Talent
The Mastercut stream is suitable for applicants who enjoy food preparation, practical work and learning specialist meat-processing skills.
Participants may gain:
- Basic butchery knowledge
- Meat preparation skills
- Safe food-handling practices
- Equipment awareness
- Product presentation
- Customer service
- In-store butchery experience
- Workplace hygiene knowledge
This stream may suit people interested in becoming butcher assistants, meat-processing workers or food retail employees.
Freshrize
- Growing the Next Generation of Bakery Talent
The Freshrize stream is aimed at applicants who are interested in baking and food production.
Participants may gain:
- Bakery production skills
- Food preparation experience
- Ingredient-handling knowledge
- Workplace hygiene
- Product presentation
- Customer service
- Practical bakery exposure
- Teamwork experience
The programme may provide a foundation for entry-level bakery and food-production roles.
All-Rounders
- Developing the Next Generation of Retail Frontline Talent
The All-Rounder stream provides exposure to different areas of a retail store.
Participants may gain:
- Customer service experience
- Merchandising knowledge
- Shelf-packing exposure
- Frontline retail skills
- Store operations knowledge
- Product-handling skills
- Teamwork
- Experience across store departments
This stream may be suitable for candidates who want broad experience before selecting a specific retail career path.
Health and Beauty Heroes
- Developing the Next Generation of Health and Beauty Advisors
The Health and Beauty Heroes stream prepares learners to assist customers with health and beauty products.
Participants may gain:
- Product knowledge
- Customer engagement skills
- Sales support experience
- Merchandising knowledge
- Product presentation skills
- Retail communication
- Stock awareness
- Practical store experience
This stream may support applications for beauty advisor, sales assistant and retail consultant positions.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens
- Be between 18 and 40 years old
- Have completed Grade 12
- Be currently unemployed
- Have an interest in food, retail and customer service
- Be willing to work retail trading hours
- Be available to work weekends
- Be available to work public holidays
- Have good communication skills
- Work well in a team
- Be committed to completing the full six-month programme
- Be willing to participate in online and in-store learning
Applicants should only apply when they can meet the working-hour and attendance requirements.
Duties and Responsibilities
Responsibilities will depend on the selected stream and store placement.
General Retail Support
Participants may assist with:
- Helping customers
- Packing shelves
- Checking product presentation
- Maintaining clean work areas
- Moving stock
- Supporting promotions
- Following store procedures
- Working with different departments
Customer Service
Learners may be required to:
- Welcome customers
- Respond to basic enquiries
- Direct customers to products
- Communicate professionally
- Assist with customer concerns
- Provide helpful service
- Maintain a positive attitude
Merchandising
Participants may gain experience in:
- Arranging products
- Replenishing shelves
- Checking price labels
- Rotating stock
- Supporting promotional displays
- Maintaining neat product sections
- Reporting damaged goods
Food Preparation
Learners in the Mastercut or Freshrize streams may assist with:
- Preparing food products
- Following hygiene standards
- Cleaning equipment
- Packaging products
- Checking product quality
- Supporting production teams
- Following food-safety procedures
Health and Beauty Support
Participants may assist with:
- Arranging health and beauty products
- Learning product features
- Helping customers locate items
- Maintaining displays
- Supporting stock control
- Providing professional customer service
The exact responsibilities will be determined by Pick n Pay and the selected programme stream.
Skills Participants May Gain
Retail Skills
- Store operations
- Merchandising
- Shelf replenishment
- Stock handling
- Product presentation
- Retail customer service
- Workplace hygiene
Food Industry Skills
- Food preparation
- Bakery support
- Butchery exposure
- Food safety
- Hygiene procedures
- Product packaging
- Quality awareness
Customer Service Skills
- Verbal communication
- Listening
- Customer engagement
- Query handling
- Sales support
- Professional conduct
- Product assistance
Workplace Skills
- Teamwork
- Time management
- Reliability
- Adaptability
- Following instructions
- Working under pressure
- Attendance discipline
- Problem-solving
- Positive workplace behaviour
Career Opportunities After Completion
Butchery Career Paths
- Butchery Assistant
- Meat Preparation Assistant
- Butchery Counter Assistant
- Food Processing Worker
- Meat Department Assistant
Bakery Career Paths
- Bakery Assistant
- Baking Assistant
- Food Production Assistant
- Bakery Counter Assistant
- Kitchen Assistant
General Retail Career Paths
- Retail Assistant
- Shop Assistant
- Cashier
- Merchandising Assistant
- Shelf Packer
- Customer Service Assistant
- Store Assistant
- Frontline Retail Worker
Health and Beauty Career Paths
- Health and Beauty Advisor
- Beauty Sales Assistant
- Retail Consultant
- Merchandising Assistant
- Customer Service Consultant
Completing the programme does not guarantee employment with Pick n Pay or another employer.
Documents Required
Applicants must attach:
- Updated CV
- Certified copy of South African identity document
- Certified copy of Matric certificate
- Copies of additional qualifications where applicable
Documents should be clear and readable.
Applicants should ensure that:
- Contact details are correct
- Names match the identity document
- Qualifications are accurately listed
- Certifications meet the requirements shown on the application portal
- All compulsory attachments are uploaded
Application Tips
- Choose the Correct Career Stream
- Select the programme that best matches your interests.
- Choose Mastercut when you are interested in meat preparation and butchery.
- Choose Freshrize when you are interested in baking and food production.
- Choose All-Rounders when you want broad retail experience.
- Choose Health and Beauty Heroes when you are interested in beauty products, customer advice and retail sales.
Tailor Your CV
Your CV should highlight:
- Customer service skills
- Teamwork
- Food preparation experience
- School leadership
- Volunteering
- Retail exposure
- Communication skills
- Computer literacy
- Availability for retail hours
Formal work experience is not listed as a compulsory requirement.
Applicants may include experience gained through:
- School projects
- Community activities
- Family businesses
- Volunteer work
- Informal retail assistance
- Food preparation at events
- Youth programmes
Confirm Your Availability
The programme requires retail trading hours which may include:
- Early shifts
- Late shifts
- Saturdays
- Sundays
- Public holidays
NB: Do not apply when you cannot meet these conditions.
Prepare for Online Learning
Because the programme uses blended learning applicants should be ready to:
- Complete online modules
- Follow digital instructions
- Submit learning activities
- Communicate electronically
- Attend practical store training
Apply Early
- Do not wait until the closing date.
Early submission gives applicants time to correct:
- Missing documents
- Incorrect contact details
- Upload failures
- Unreadable certificates
- Portal errors
Where to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the official Pick n Pay Careers platform.
Search using the relevant job requisition number.
- National Hypermarket Programme
Job title: UIF Skills Programme: Pick n Pay Hypermarkets
Reference: JR105826
Location: South Africa
- Western Cape Programme
Job title: UIF Skills Programmes: Pick n Pay Western Cape
Reference: JR105827
Location: Western Cape
- Gauteng All-Rounder Programme
Job title: UIF Learnership: All-Rounder
Reference: JR105836
Location: Gauteng
Complete the online application and upload all documents requested on the official vacancy page.
NB: Applicants should never pay anyone to apply for the programme.
Best Before:
Western Cape
- 8 August 2026
Gauteng All-Rounder
- 7 August 2026
Pick n Pay Hypermarkets National Programme
- The closing date was not included in the supplied advertisement.
NB: Applicants should check the official Pick n Pay Careers platform immediately using reference JR105826.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the programme?
- The programme runs for six months.
What is the monthly stipend?
- Successful participants will receive R2,000 per month.
What is the estimated total stipend?
- The estimated stipend over six months is R12,000.
Who can apply?
- Unemployed South African citizens aged between 18 and 40 who have completed Grade 12.
Is work experience required?
- No previous work experience is listed as compulsory.
Which programmes are available?
The listed career streams are:
- Mastercut
- Freshrize
- All-Rounders
- Health and Beauty Heroes
Is Matric required?
- Yes. Grade 12 is compulsory.
Must applicants be unemployed?
- Yes.
Will participants work in a store?
- Yes. The programme includes practical in-store experience.
Is online learning included?
- Yes. The learning model combines online learning with workplace training.
Must learners work weekends?
- Yes. Applicants must be willing to work retail trading hours including weekends and public holidays.
Does the programme guarantee employment?
- No permanent employment is guaranteed.
Which documents are required?
- Applicants need an updated CV, certified ID, certified Matric certificate and copies of additional qualifications where applicable.
When does the Western Cape programme close?
- Applications close on 8 August 2026.
When does the Gauteng All-Rounder programme close?
- Applications close on 7 August 2026.
What is the national programme reference?
- The reference number is JR105826.
Editorial Policy
Career27 publishes independently written employment, learnership and skills programme information based on vacancy details released by employers and recognised recruitment platforms. Our articles explain confirmed programme requirements, financial information, workplace exposure and application procedures without guaranteeing selection or permanent employment.
Where the employer has not provided a closing date, detailed duty list or additional allowance information we state this clearly rather than adding unverified details. Applicants should verify the vacancy status, placement location and final programme conditions through the official Pick n Pay Careers platform before submitting personal information.
Career27 does not charge applicants for access to opportunity information and is not involved in recruitment or selection.
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Disclaimer: Information was accurate according to the vacancy details supplied. Applicants should confirm the current listings, store locations, programme conditions and application instructions through the official Pick n Pay Careers platform before applying.
